Athena promptly walked towards the young King and Queen of Qalagon as she didn't want her aunt to be in a tight situation because of her. However, even when she walked, Morin still held her hand tightly.
Now, Arin's gaze trailed to his brother. It's obvious that the young Prince was thrilled to see his cousin again.
"I only came to see my aunt and Morin," the Jerivian Queen spoke up. "Please don't get me wrong. I will leave right after this."
"You just came," Prince Morin pointed out. "Why would you leave again?"
Arin briefly glanced at his father who just stared at him with a calm face. Then he turned to Iria who nodded at him.
"You haven't seen each other for a long time now. Why don't you stay for a while?" he finally spoke up. Glancing at his brother, he added, "Morin will be happy to have you around even if it's just for a few days."
The young Prince's face instantly brightened up when he heard his older brother. However, before he could say anything, his mother took him out of the room with Athena and Aziel.
Arin and Iria walked closer to the bed where the former King lay. Then they took a seat on the bench which was placed near the right of the bed.
Witnessing that his son was still the same even after sitting at the throne for more than a year, Regan Helev felt immensely proud of Arin.
Power changes people but it seemed like his son was an exception.
Well, he was always unique anyway.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Father?" Arin Helev asked his father when the latter kept on staring at him without saying anything.
"I'm just glad," Regan Helev muttered. "You still care for Morin like before."
"Do you think that would change?" Arin asked. "Morin is my only sibling, Father. As the older one, it's my responsibility to care for him and protect him."
Regan Helev nodded in satisfaction and shifted his attention to Iria. "Is your family doing well? I heard that both your brother and cousin get married."
Iria nodded. "They're doing fine." She made a deliberate paused and observed the former King. "But Your Majesty, I think you have become thinner than the last time I came here. Is your illness getting worse?"
Hearing this, Arin who was looking at Iria darted her eyes back to his father. In a split second, concern was written all over his face. "Father."
"My days are numbered," Regan Helev muttered as he shut his eyes. When he opened it again, he looked at his son. "But I'm not worried. I know that even after I'm gone, you will continue doing a good job and even become a better King."
"You should tell us if your condition is getting worse," Arin Helev uttered. "Do you plan to continue keeping us in the dark if we didn't come here and see for it ourselves?"
"For you... the administration of the kingdom should be more important than me, Arin. Carrying out your duty should be your priority. Remember that," Regan Helev stated. Despite his tired voice, he still tried to sound as firm as he could.
"Father -"
"I already retired, Arin," Regan Helev said, interrupting his son. He briefly looked at Iria and said, "Now, you and your wife are the ones who lead Qalagon. My time is already over. So, don't be distracted by me and give your all for Qalagon.
"You know I have high hope in you, my son. You have the potential to become the greatest King our Qalagon ever have."
"But -"
"Don't follow in my footsteps." He said the same old sentence which he often told Arin.
Did he know that hearing this always pained his son?
When Arin tried to speak up, his father shifted his attention to Iria. "I trust in the love that exists between you and Arin," he stated. "So, no matter what the path is, I want you to walk with him. Be a shield and a strong pillar for each other. That way, you will be able to achieve many great things together. I trust in you."
Iria shifted her gaze to Arin who was equally tight-lipped as her. While they were struggling to speak up, the father continued.
"I see your letter on how you handle Dilan Lorin's case, Arin. I understand that it wasn't an easy decision to make but... I'm proud of you for being able to do that." Regan Helev paused before he said, "But you don't have to inform me everything anymore. You're the King and no one in this kingdom is above you, including me. You don't have to report anything to anyone."
"How can you say that, Father?" Arin Helev argued. "You're my father and you're still alive. How can you expect me to think that way?!"
"I just want you to remember that, Arin," Regan Helev calmly muttered and shut his eyes.
Glancing at the troubled expression on Arin's face, Iria quickly turned to the former King. "We will remember that, Your Majesty. You don't have to worry."
Hearing this, Regan Helev opened his eyes and looked at Iria with a little smile on his face. Then he held Iria's hands and nodded without saying anything.
* * *
Cedore
In the dungeon which was deep below the royal palace of Cedore, Crown Prince Andres Francia just walked inside with Zane where he was greeted by two spies.
Between the two spies was a chair where one hooded man was chained. The man on the chair was struggling to break free but to no avail.
With a gesture from the Crown Prince, the two spies removed the hood of the man and he can finally see his surroundings. However, when his gaze landed on the young man standing before him, his eyes grew wide.
"Andres Francia? It's you?"
The Crown Prince simply smiled. "I have to say that you impress me, King Rozalez. Even after being locked up in darkness for more than a year, it seems like your mind is still working fine."
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